04-21-2011, 06:41 AM
[quote name='dhazeghi' timestamp='1303322315' post='7793']
Hi all,
so I'm still trying to find a good walkaround kit that offers IQ close to my current D700/24-120 combo, but without the ridiculous weight. I tried and not been happy with either the Nikon D3100 (tiny OVF, not great handling) or the Sony A55 (EVF tearing/colors gave me a headache).
At this point I've settled on either the Pentax K-5, 17-70/4 and 35/2.4 or the Nikon D7000, 16-85VR and 35/1.8. Both are a tad bigger and heavier than I'd like, but I've heard good things about their OVFs, and both seem to have all the necessary features. All things being equal, I'm leaning toward the Pentax as it seems to have the better build quality and ergonomics. However, I have a couple of concerns based on posts I've seen here and elsewhere.
1) Shutter-induced blur. Not sure if this is really an issue or not, but given the number of reports with the K-7 and K-X, I'm a bit concerned.
2) AA filter. I believe photozone's editor mentioned that the K-5 had a very strong AA filter? That's one of the things I dislike about my D700...
3) AF in low light. I've heard mixed reports about speed and accuracy, particularly regarding tungsten lighting.
So, any thoughts on these or any other issues? Camera is mostly for outdoors use - hiking, landscapes and street photography - but I do also shoot occasionally indoors in poor lighting.
Thanks!
DH
[/quote]
Hi DH,
Coincidentally, I was making the same decision at the end of December - same camera bodies, same standard zooms on my list, but with a long telephoto zoom instead of the 35mm standard lenses you're looking at (60-250 Pentax, excellent review here. Tamron or Nikon 70-300, not as good).
I, too, was influenced - maybe unduly - by the thread here about the K5's strong anti-aliasing filter and the issues about AF and also initial problems with sensor (which I understand have now been resolved).
When it came to the decision, I spent some time with both and I agreed with [url="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk5/page4.asp"]DP Review[/url]: the Pentax clearly felt more comfortable in my hands, a bit lighter and smaller: a better 'fit' for me.
Both have very clear viewfinders.
The shop didn't have the 17-70, so my choice was a bit restricted on the day. Plus those other issues were on my mind, I thought the two card slots in the D7000 were going to be really useful while I learned what I was doing (RAW + JPEG), and the 16-85 had that bit extra range... (and I'd sort of wanted a Nikon from film days! <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' />).
On the other hand the Pentax felt better, and (I was told) has world-leading weather sealing - which might be a factor for hiking and landscapes.
I decided on the D7000.
I've no regrets, but I don't think you would with either of them (plenty of Pentax users very pleased with the K5).
Bottom line for me is I'm very happy with the D7000, the 16-85 is great (sharp) and I'm gradually getting results I'm pleased with, though I'm very much still learning the D7000, coming new to Digital SLRs and it's a complex camera (to me).
I like things I'm learning about it, which you're probably familiar with already (and which the Pentax may do as well): 2 User customisable modes (e.g. v.quick switch between AF-S / single point and AF-C / multi-point or 3D-tracking, different ISOs and bracket / no-bracket), focus-priority release (didn't realise how useful that could be until I read the 'Focus Trap' thread here the other day!), remote ctrl functionality, etc.
I do wonder about the other set up, sometimes, though - esp. the IQ with the 60-250!
I'll be interested to hear what you decide. <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' />
Ian
Hi all,
so I'm still trying to find a good walkaround kit that offers IQ close to my current D700/24-120 combo, but without the ridiculous weight. I tried and not been happy with either the Nikon D3100 (tiny OVF, not great handling) or the Sony A55 (EVF tearing/colors gave me a headache).
At this point I've settled on either the Pentax K-5, 17-70/4 and 35/2.4 or the Nikon D7000, 16-85VR and 35/1.8. Both are a tad bigger and heavier than I'd like, but I've heard good things about their OVFs, and both seem to have all the necessary features. All things being equal, I'm leaning toward the Pentax as it seems to have the better build quality and ergonomics. However, I have a couple of concerns based on posts I've seen here and elsewhere.
1) Shutter-induced blur. Not sure if this is really an issue or not, but given the number of reports with the K-7 and K-X, I'm a bit concerned.
2) AA filter. I believe photozone's editor mentioned that the K-5 had a very strong AA filter? That's one of the things I dislike about my D700...
3) AF in low light. I've heard mixed reports about speed and accuracy, particularly regarding tungsten lighting.
So, any thoughts on these or any other issues? Camera is mostly for outdoors use - hiking, landscapes and street photography - but I do also shoot occasionally indoors in poor lighting.
Thanks!
DH
[/quote]
Hi DH,
Coincidentally, I was making the same decision at the end of December - same camera bodies, same standard zooms on my list, but with a long telephoto zoom instead of the 35mm standard lenses you're looking at (60-250 Pentax, excellent review here. Tamron or Nikon 70-300, not as good).
I, too, was influenced - maybe unduly - by the thread here about the K5's strong anti-aliasing filter and the issues about AF and also initial problems with sensor (which I understand have now been resolved).
When it came to the decision, I spent some time with both and I agreed with [url="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk5/page4.asp"]DP Review[/url]: the Pentax clearly felt more comfortable in my hands, a bit lighter and smaller: a better 'fit' for me.
Both have very clear viewfinders.
The shop didn't have the 17-70, so my choice was a bit restricted on the day. Plus those other issues were on my mind, I thought the two card slots in the D7000 were going to be really useful while I learned what I was doing (RAW + JPEG), and the 16-85 had that bit extra range... (and I'd sort of wanted a Nikon from film days! <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' />). On the other hand the Pentax felt better, and (I was told) has world-leading weather sealing - which might be a factor for hiking and landscapes.
I decided on the D7000.
I've no regrets, but I don't think you would with either of them (plenty of Pentax users very pleased with the K5).
Bottom line for me is I'm very happy with the D7000, the 16-85 is great (sharp) and I'm gradually getting results I'm pleased with, though I'm very much still learning the D7000, coming new to Digital SLRs and it's a complex camera (to me).
I like things I'm learning about it, which you're probably familiar with already (and which the Pentax may do as well): 2 User customisable modes (e.g. v.quick switch between AF-S / single point and AF-C / multi-point or 3D-tracking, different ISOs and bracket / no-bracket), focus-priority release (didn't realise how useful that could be until I read the 'Focus Trap' thread here the other day!), remote ctrl functionality, etc.
I do wonder about the other set up, sometimes, though - esp. the IQ with the 60-250!
I'll be interested to hear what you decide. <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' /> Ian